U.S. patent number 5,941,729 [Application Number 08/926,805] was granted by the patent office on 1999-08-24 for safe-snap computer cable.
This patent grant is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Sri M. Sri-Jayantha.
United States Patent |
5,941,729 |
Sri-Jayantha |
August 24, 1999 |
Safe-snap computer cable
Abstract
An electrical cable for a portable computer includes a plurality
of electrical leads bound together in a flexible sheath. A first
snap connector is joined to the leads. A second snap connector is
complementary to the first snap connector and is connected thereto
for establishing electrical connection with the computer, and
allowing self-disconnection thereof upon yanking of the cable over
a range of angles relative to the computer including a
hemisphere.
Inventors: |
Sri-Jayantha; Sri M. (Ossining,
NY) |
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation (Armonk, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
25453750 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/926,805 |
Filed: |
September 10, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/505; 439/289;
439/923; 439/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/6392 (20130101); H01R 13/6205 (20130101); Y10S
439/923 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/62 (20060101); H01R 13/639 (20060101); M01R
011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/502,503,505,289,923,956,39 ;174/66,67 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Abrams; Neil
Assistant Examiner: Patel; T. C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Conte; Francis L.
Claims
I claim:
1. An electrical cable for a portable computer having a receptacle
and resting atop a surface above a floor, comprising:
first and second cable portions each having a plurality of
electrical leads bound together in a flexible sheath;
a first snap connector joined to said leads at one end of said
cable first portion, and a base connector joined to said leads at
an opposite end of said cable first portion, and being
complementary to said receptacle for being removably connected
thereto;
a second snap connector joined to said leads at a first end of said
cable second portion and being complementary to said first snap
connector, and a remote connector fixedly joined to said leads at
an opposite end of said cable second portion for electrically
joining said cable to a remote receptacle; and
means for allowing self-disconnection of said first and second snap
connectors upon yanking of said cable second portion over a range
of angles relative to said computer including a hemisphere, and
without yanking said computer off said surface to drop to said
floor.
2. A cable according to claim 1 wherein said cable first portion is
shorter than said cable second portion to locate said first and
second snap connectors adjacent said computer to effect said
hemispherical disconnection range.
3. A cable according to claim 2 wherein:
said second snap connector and said base connector are
substantially identical; and
said first snap connector is configured like said computer
receptacle so that said cable first portion defines an extension
cord.
4. A cable according to claim 2 wherein said cable second portion
includes:
a power supply at said distal end thereof for converting line
voltage to DC voltage, with said second snap connector being formed
directly in one side thereof; and
said remote connector is configured to engage a remote receptacle
for providing said line voltage to said power supply.
5. A cable according to claim 4 wherein:
said first snap connector and said base connector are substantially
identical; and
said second snap connector in said power supply is configured like
said computer receptacle.
6. A method of self-disconnecting an electrical cable from a
portable computer resting atop a surface above a floor, said method
comprising: providing a complementary pair of removably
interconnected snap connectors between opposite ends of said cable
adjacent said computer to form first and second cable portions,
with said cable first portion being disposed adjacent said computer
and said cable second portion extending therefrom and intended for
self-disconnection of said snap connectors upon yanking of said
cable second portion without yanking said computer off said surface
to drop to said floor.
7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising positioning
said snap connector pair more closely adjacent to said cable end at
said computer than said opposite cable end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to portable computers, and,
more specifically, to cables therefor.
Portable computers typically referred to as laptop or notebook
computers include internal batteries for allowing their unbridled
use. An external power supply or battery charger may be used when
required for powering the computer when the internal batteries are
drained. The power supply itself includes a suitable transformer
and rectifying circuit for converting alternating current (AC) line
voltage to direct current (DC) power for both running the computer
and recharging the internal batteries thereof.
The power supply therefore typically includes an input AC cable
having a remote connector plug which may be inserted into a wall
outlet for obtaining AC power. A DC output cable extends from the
power supply and has a suitable end connector plug which removably
engages a suitable receptacle in the back of the computer for
providing DC power thereto. The computer receptacle is typically
recessed into the housing thereof and includes a plurality of male
pin terminals disposed inside the recess. The cooperating cable
connector is typically in the form of a plug having a respective
plurality of holes which define the terminals thereof which engage
the receptacle terminals of the computer when plugged together. In
this way, the power supply may be removably joined to the portable
computer for temporarily providing DC power thereto for operating
the computer and recharging the batteries thereof when desired.
Since the computer is relatively light weight for being portable,
it is subject to yanking movement in the event the recharging cable
is inadvertently tripped over which can easily provide sufficient
force to pull the computer off its resting surface, such as a
table, causing it to drop to the floor. The shock forces created
upon dropping the computer to the floor may be sufficiently high
for damaging the computer.
Since the cable plug is recessed into the back of the computer, any
lateral yanking force will be ineffective in disconnecting the
connector from the computer. Only within a very narrow cone angle
extending outwardly from the computer receptacle will cable yanking
allow self-disconnection from the computer. Since the connector is
joined to the computer with a simple friction fit, relatively
little force is required to not only join together these
components, but also separate or disconnect these components.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved cable for joining
to a portable computer which allows self-disconnection due to
yanking forces irrespective of the direction of yanking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An electrical cable for a portable computer includes a plurality of
electrical leads bound together in a flexible sheath. A first snap
connector is joined to the leads. A second snap connector is
complementary to the first snap connector and is connected thereto
for establishing electrical connection with the computer, and
allowing self-disconnection thereof upon yanking of the cable over
a range of angles relative to the computer including a
hemisphere.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention, in accordance with preferred and exemplary
embodiments, together with further objects and advantages thereof,
is more particularly described in the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer resting atop a
table and joined to a power supply using an electrical cable in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the back side of the computer
illustrated in FIG. 1 and taken generally along line 2--2 showing
the electrical cable in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a top, partly sectional view of a portion of the computer
and attached electrical cable illustrated in FIG. 1 showing an
exemplary range of disconnection angles for the cable relative to
the computer.
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an electrical cable in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention joined to the
computer and the power supply.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the computer illustrated
in FIG. 1 including an electrical cable in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the computer and cable connector
illustrated in FIG. 5 and taken generally along line 6--6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
Illustrated in FIG. 1 is an exemplary portable computer 10, also
referred to as a laptop or notebook computer. The computer 10 may
have any conventional form, and in the form of a notebook includes
a pair of hinged leaves or wings which may be closed together as
shown in solid line in FIG. 1 when the computer is not being used,
or may be opened as shown in phantom for exposing both the viewing
screen in the upper half of the computer and the keyboard in the
lower half of the computer.
The computer 10 includes an internal battery 12 which provides
suitable DC power for operating the computer 10 when desired. When
the battery drains, it may be suitably recharged using a
conventional power supply or battery charger 14 temporarily joined
to the computer 10 using a flexible electrical cable 16 in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the computer 10 may be temporarily placed
atop a table 18 resting on the floor 20 adjacent to a wall 22
having a remote power source in the form of a conventional wall
receptacle 24 for providing a suitable AC power, such as 110 volts.
The power supply 14 is conventionally configured for transforming
the AC power from the receptacle 24 to a suitably lower DC voltage
compatible with the computer 10 for recharging the batteries 12
thereof.
As indicated above, a conventional power supply typically includes
an integral electrical cable which plugs into the back of the
computer 10 (not shown) which can yank the computer to the floor 20
upon inadvertent tripping of the cable thereof. In accordance with
the present invention, the tripping force, designated F, may be
used to advantage to self-disconnect the power supply 14 from the
computer 10 without causing excessive force which would overcome
friction of the computer 10 resting atop the table 18.
More specifically, the electrical cable 16 is illustrated in more
detail in an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2 and includes a
plurality of electrical leads or wires 26 bound together in a
common sheath 28 which provides suitable flexibility of the cable
16. A first snap connector or plug 30 is suitably fixedly and
electrically joined to the leads 26 at one end of the cable 16. A
second snap connector or plug 32 is complementary to the first snap
connector 30.
Means are provided for electrically and removably connecting
together the first and second snap connectors 30, 32 for
establishing electrical connection with the computer 10, and
allowing self-disconnection thereof upon yanking of the cable 16
over a range R, as illustrated in FIG. 3, of disconnection angles
relative to the computer 10, which range includes at least a
hemisphere. The direction perpendicularly outwardly from the back
side of the computer 10 represents 0.degree., with the
disconnection range R extending from 0.degree. and up to + and
-90.degree. to define the hemisphere. If desired, the disconnection
range may be even larger and include a full sphere if desired.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tripping force F may be in any direction
which will yank the cable 16 in tension T as illustrated in FIG. 3
for disconnecting the first and second snap connectors 30, 32. The
snap connectors will readily disconnect since the electrical cable
16 extending between the computer 10 and the first snap connector
30 is flexible and therefore always allows the tension force T to
develop along the engagement axis of the connectors 30, 32 which
may therefore be yanked apart. In this way, the snap connectors 30,
32 define a safe-snap or breakaway joint which disconnects the
power supply 14 from the computer 10 to prevent or reduce the
likelihood that the yanking force will pull the computer from the
table 18 to drop to the floor 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cable 16 preferably includes a base
connector 34 electrically joined at a proximal end of the leads 26
for connecting the cable 16 to the computer 10, with the first snap
connector 30 being joined at an opposite, distal end thereof. The
computer 10 includes a pre-defined or standard connecting
receptacle 36 in the back side thereof, with the cable base
connector 34 being complementary with the receptacle 36 for being
removably electrically connected thereto. The computer receptacle
36 is conventional in configuration and includes a plurality of
projecting male pins 36a suitably electrically joined inside the
computer 10 to the battery 12 thereof, for example. The terminal
pins 36a are suitably disposed inside a recess 36b.
Correspondingly, the base connector 34 has an outer profile
complementary with the recess 36b so that it may be inserted
therein, and includes a corresponding plurality of tubular terminal
holes 34a electrically joined to respective ones of the leads 26.
The base connector 34 may therefore be readily inserted into the
computer receptacle 36 so that the pins 36a slidingly engage the
terminal holes 34a for establishing electrical connections
thereat.
In a conventional electrical cable (not shown) the base connector
34 would be similarly connected to the computer receptacle 36, with
the opposite end of the cable being fixedly joined to the power
supply 14 of FIG. 1 without additional means for providing
disconnection therebetween under a large range of yanking
angles.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the base connector 34 is joined to the
computer receptacle 36 inside the recess 36b, lateral or sideways
yanking of the cable 16 (in phantom) will be ineffective in
disconnecting the base connector 34 from the receptacle 36, with
the attendant result that yanking may cause the computer 10 to be
yanked off the table 18 and drop to the floor 20. However, by
providing the additional snap connectors 30, 32 between the
computer 10 and the power supply 14, yanking tension T carried
through the cable 16 may be effectively used for self-disconnecting
the connectors 30, 32 irrespective of the yanking direction within
the substantially large disconnection range R.
In FIG. 3, the cable 16 is illustrated in solid line in the
0.degree. orientation relative to the backside of the computer 10
which is perpendicular thereto, and is shown in phantom line
extending laterally at + and -90.degree. within the disconnection
range R. At the exemplary 90.degree. orientation of the cable 16,
the base connector 34 cannot readily be dislodged from its mating
receptacle 36, but the flexibility of the cable 16 itself allows
the snap connectors 30, 32 to move with the cable 16 and remain
always coaxial with the yanking tension force T which allows the
two connectors to be readily disconnected by the pulling force
thereof.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cable
16 defines a first portion wherein the base connector 34 and the
first snap connector 30 are attached at opposite ends thereof. The
electrical cable further includes a second portion 16b which
includes the second snap connector 32 at a distal end thereof, and
a remote connector 38 at an opposite, proximal end thereof for
electrically joining the computer and power supply through the
cable to the remote receptacle 24 for obtaining power
therefrom.
The power supply 14 is preferably located at a suitable
intermediate location between the second snap connector 32 and the
remote connector 38, with AC voltage being provided to one end of
the power supply 14, and DC voltage being provided through the
cable to the second snap connector 32. In the preferred embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1, the cable first portion 16 is preferably
shorter than the cable second portion 16b to locate the first and
second snap connectors 30, 32 adjacent the computer 10 to effect
the hemispherical disconnection range R illustrated in FIG. 3.
As the snap connectors 30, 32 are located further away from the
computer 10, the possibility of tripping on the cable first portion
16 increases which would then experience the same problems
associated with a conventional cable. The snap connectors 30, 32
should be located as closely as possible to the computer 10 so that
tripping of the cable occurs in the second portion 16b between the
second snap connector 32 and the remote connector 38 for effecting
self-disconnection of the connectors 30, 32.
As shown in FIG. 3, the length of cable first portion 16 between
the base connector 34 and the first snap connector 30 may be made
as short as possible for allowing the first snap connector 32 to
vary its orientation preferably within the hemispherical
disconnection range R, if not greater than that range including up
to a full hemisphere if desired. In this way, irrespective of the
direction of the yanking force F on the cable second portion 16b,
the first snap connector 30 and the attached second snap connector
32 may be carried with the cable second portion 16b during
progression of the yanking force so that they may be readily
disconnected by the resulting tension force T acting along the
cable.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second snap connector 32 and the
base connector 34 are preferably substantially identical in
configuration and may be directly interchangeable in the computer
receptacle 36. The first snap connector 30 is correspondingly
configured like the computer receptacle 36 so that the cable first
portion 16 defines a relatively short safe-snap extension cord. The
first snap connector 30 therefore includes a corresponding number
of pins 30a like the pins 36a, mounted in a corresponding recess
30b like the recess 36b. The second snap connector 32 includes a
plurality of tubular terminal holes 32a like the terminal holes 34a
of the base connector 34.
In this way, the cable second portion 16b including the second
connector 32 and power supply 14 may be conventional in
configuration, with the second connector 32 being directly joined
to the computer receptacle 36 without the safe breakaway advantage
of the present invention. The cable first portion 16 may be
provided as a simple extension cord which is interposed between the
computer receptacle 36 and the second snap connector 32 to effect
the safe breakaway performance of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 1, the power supply 14 is integrally joined in series in
the cable second portion 16b without removable connections therein
for reducing cost.
However, instead of using the small cable extension 16 illustrated
in FIGS. 1-3, a relatively long cable extension designated 16c may
be used instead, and also instead of the DC portion of the cable
16b joined to the power supply 14 as illustrated in an alternate
embodiment in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the second snap connector
is designated 32B and is formed directly in one side of the power
supply 14, and is preferably identical to the computer receptacle
36. Correspondingly, the first snap connector is designated 30B and
is identical to the base connector 34 at its opposite end. In this
embodiment, yanking of the cable 16c will in turn also yank the
relatively small power supply 14 for self-disconnecting the first
and second snap connectors 30B, 32B. If desired, the power supply
14 may be mounted on suitable rubber feet for increasing sliding
resistance thereof to insure self-disconnection of the snap
connectors 30B, 32B under the yanking force instead of yanking of
the computer 10 itself.
In the two embodiments disclosed above, the various connectors
themselves may take any conventional form which plug together or
pull apart along their longitudinal axes. In the exemplary
embodiments illustrated, the connectors include four electrical
terminals or pins although no more than two are required for
providing the DC voltage potential. The additional pins are
provided in the exemplary embodiment for providing suitable
communication between the computer and the power supply 14 in
conventional practice.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention
where the safe-snap connection is formed directly on the back side
of the computer 10 instead of using the conventional computer
receptacle 36 illustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the
electrical cable 16b is directly attached at one end to the power
supply 14, and includes a plurality of convex disks or terminals
30c electrically joined to the first snap connector, designated
30C, joined to the opposite, distal end of the cable 16b. In the
exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, there are four terminal
disks 30c electrically joined to respective ones of the four leads
in the cable 16b.
A plurality of concave pockets or terminals 32c are electrically
joined to the battery 12 of the computer 10 to define the second
snap connector 32C. The pockets 32c are complementary with
respective ones of the disks 30c for abutting electrical engagement
therewith. The pockets 32c are preferably shallow in depth, and may
be portions of ellipses, for allowing disconnection of the
complementary disks 30c therefrom upon shear force effected by the
yanking tension force T therebetween. The disks 30c and the pockets
32c are preferably colinearly aligned so that the yanking shear
self-disconnects these components horizontally, or the normal force
F is effective for pulling apart the connectors vertically.
The first and second connectors 30C, 32C may be suitably biased
together by using respective pairs of permanent magnets 40 at
opposite ends of the connectors for magnetically mounting the first
connector 30C atop the second connector 32C. The developed magnetic
force is selected for sufficiently retaining together the
connectors during normal operation, but allowing disconnection
thereof under a suitable amount of yanking force. Instead of
magnets, other retaining device may also be used such as peeling
tape known under the trademark of Velcro.
Although the invention has been described above with respect to the
power supply 14 temporarily joined to the computer 10, other types
of electrical cables may be joined to the computer 10 in a similar
manner for effecting safe-snap breakaway performance. For example,
the computer 10 may include an internal modem, with a corresponding
telephone cable extending from the computer 10 to a remote
telephone outlet in the wall. Conventional modular telephone plugs
include a locking tab preventing disconnecting of the plug from its
receptacle except after being manually depressed. The introduction
of the safe-snap connectors in the cable may include otherwise
conventional telephone modular plugs without the locking hooks for
allowing self-disconnection thereof. As described above, the short
cable extension may be used in line with a conventional longer
cable extension, with the short, safe-snap cable extension having
its remote plug without the locking tab feature for allowing ready
disconnection thereof.
While there have been described herein what are considered to be
preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other
modifications of the invention shall be apparent to those skilled
in the art from the teachings herein, and it is, therefore, desired
to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the
U.S. is the invention as defined and differentiated in the
following claims.
* * * * *